I know this guy is supposed to be all world or something-but I've seen some games where he just looks average. All this money for a GUARD? I say cut him and draft his replacement in the 3rd round where there should be some pretty decent guards still there. He's a guard for cryin out loud - getting paid like a skill position player and I still have that smell of his franchise tag debacle where he whined like a baby and held out! Opinions welcome?

I know this guy is supposed to be all world or something-but I've seen some games where he just looks average. All this money for a GUARD? I say cut him and draft his replacement in the 3rd round where there should be some pretty decent guards still there. He's a guard for cryin out loud - getting paid like a skill position player and I still have that smell of his franchise tag debacle where he whined like a baby and held out! Opinions welcome?

I am confused as to when a team can cut a player and not get hit with a cap hit--I see where sometimes teams get a cap hit and other times do not-I was not aware that if cut it would still cost the Pats cap space-very confusing when it comes to cap space/hits etc--I'm sure these Certified Public Accontants make big money doing all this legal financial stuff for their teams?

Not all of his salary but some of it. Mankins is worth having around. He brings an attitude to every game and nobody gets in TBs face when he's out there. I wish they would work on some kind of extension with him that's a little bit more cap friendly. But he's one of those guys who thinks he should get paid. He's may go when his contract is up but for now keep him as long as you can.

I am confused as to when a team can cut a player and not get hit with a cap hit--I see where sometimes teams get a cap hit and other times do not-I was not aware that if cut it would still cost the Pats cap space-very confusing when it comes to cap space/hits etc--I'm sure these Certified Public Accontants make big money doing all this legal financial stuff for their teams?

It's not too complex. If you give a guy a signing bonus, the signing bonus is credited to your salary cap over the length of the contract (up to five years). So, for example, if you give a guy a $5 million signing bonus on a five-year contract, you pay the bonus upfront, but it is credited to the salary cap at $1 million per year for the five years of the contract. If you decide to cut the guy after year two, however, you still have $3 million of uncredited bonus left and that still-uncredited amount you are required to credit in a lump sum once you cut the guy (usually it hits your cap in the following year). The "dead money" is simply this "accelerated" credit.

I don't know about the rest of the posters here, or any other pro football fan, but all this free agency/cap space crap is ruining the game. It may be I'm just getting to be an old farrt that wishes the days of player/team loyalty still prevails.

Every year now it's the same old B.S......what productive and loved player on a team is going to pickup and take off to another team? Suppose it's like everything else nowadays, it's all about the money and everyone is out to get the most they possible can.

Not an option in terms of cuts, Wilfork is the guy who has got me peeved. He has 0 leverage here, why is BB even allowing this guy to decide what he wants?

I think because bb believes he still has a lot to offer. If vw wasn't along on his rehab or they believed he wasn't going to contribute, he would be gone. I still think we may see his contract redone to free up more cap space.

Possible cuts: VW,Tom Kelly, Adrian Wilson, Jake Bequette, but not Mankins!!! He would only be on the market for about an hour, plus you do realize that not only is he a Tough sob, but he's talented and could quite easily be the starting LT if it weren't for his ability too play the LG position like a rhino!

Possible cuts: VW,Tom Kelly, Adrian Wilson, Jake Bequette, but not Mankins!!! He would only be on the market for about an hour, plus you do realize that not only is he a Tough sob, but he's talented and could quite easily be the starting LT if it weren't for his ability too play the LG position like a rhino!

I understand he's supposed to be this tough SOB but we are talking about a Guard here? Wasnt aware the guy could play tackle though which makes him more valuable?

Possible cuts: VW,Tom Kelly, Adrian Wilson, Jake Bequette, but not Mankins!!! He would only be on the market for about an hour, plus you do realize that not only is he a Tough sob, but he's talented and could quite easily be the starting LT if it weren't for his ability too play the LG position like a rhino!

I understand he's supposed to be this tough SOB but we are talking about a Guard here? Wasnt aware the guy could play tackle though which makes him more valuable?

Not an option in terms of cuts, Wilfork is the guy who has got me peeved. He has 0 leverage here, why is BB even allowing this guy to decide what he wants?

Unfortunately he does a have a little bit of leverage because there really aren't many great defensive tackles available in free agency any longer...and we don't have any on our team. If you look at the draft there doesn't look like there is any sure thing where we are going to be selecting either. So we have a little problem here - Wilfork makes too much and is coming off a major injury - and if you just flat out cut him, who are you going to have replace him? Henry Melton? He's coming off and injury too.

Not all of his salary but some of it. Mankins is worth having around. He brings an attitude to every game and nobody gets in TBs face when he's out there. I wish they would work on some kind of extension with him that's a little bit more cap friendly. But he's one of those guys who thinks he should get paid. He's may go when his contract is up but for now keep him as long as you can.